This week has been really hard on my family and friends. Please pray for my brother and his family for some personal stuff.
I also ask you to take a look at this video. If you live in the area on the map, please keep you eyes out for our friend's daughter. She ran away Monday, Dec, 26. These are precious friends of ours. Please pray for them.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Cooking With Kids
I have received quite a few comments on here that appreciate my getting the boys in the kitchen with me, so I thought I would try and share more of what we do (when I remember to grab the camera)!
For Christmas, we bought them a set of the Curious Chef Knives, (I'll let you know what we think of them when we use them) and we got them the Kid's Fun and Healthy Cookbook.
After looking the book over, I can tell it will be a big hit! This morning we had left over Christmas ham, and decided to put our cookbook to the test. I asked Tristin to help me this morning. He quickly jumped in for the chance to cook breakfast for us!
We wanted to make the baked Eggs in Ham.
We lined our muffin tin with slices of ham and broke an egg to put in each one.
He set the timer and in 12 minutes we had breakfast!
The boys claimed this is one of the best breakfasts they've ever had! :) It is definitely a plus to have them help out!
For Christmas, we bought them a set of the Curious Chef Knives, (I'll let you know what we think of them when we use them) and we got them the Kid's Fun and Healthy Cookbook.
After looking the book over, I can tell it will be a big hit! This morning we had left over Christmas ham, and decided to put our cookbook to the test. I asked Tristin to help me this morning. He quickly jumped in for the chance to cook breakfast for us!
We wanted to make the baked Eggs in Ham.
We lined our muffin tin with slices of ham and broke an egg to put in each one.
He set the timer and in 12 minutes we had breakfast!
The boys claimed this is one of the best breakfasts they've ever had! :) It is definitely a plus to have them help out!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Joy
I mentioned the other day that we had signed up to deliver presents to kids who wouldn't otherwise be getting any. We woke Saturaday morning and headed out to load our car full of gifts to be hand delivered to these kids. We knocked on the doors and were greeted by children who couldn't contain their smiles! They had NO idea, and boy were they thrilled!
Our boys loved it. They were happy to be spreading joy this Christmas. It was such a blessing.
Boys squished together so we could fit all the gifts in the back of our car.
One shy to have his picture taken.
Then we came home to Chritmas movies and make gingerbread houses. We were so excited to have Uncle Seth stop by and make one too.
(no pictures of the process...I misplaced my camera...) But here are the results!
I also can't get the pictures to turn the other way...but this is Brighton's)
Jaiden's
Mine
Uncle Seth's
Tristin's
And my hubby's ....I think he was trying to show us up!
Merry Christmas!
Our boys loved it. They were happy to be spreading joy this Christmas. It was such a blessing.
Boys squished together so we could fit all the gifts in the back of our car.
One shy to have his picture taken.
Then we came home to Chritmas movies and make gingerbread houses. We were so excited to have Uncle Seth stop by and make one too.
(no pictures of the process...I misplaced my camera...) But here are the results!
I also can't get the pictures to turn the other way...but this is Brighton's)
Jaiden's
Mine
Uncle Seth's
Tristin's
And my hubby's ....I think he was trying to show us up!
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Happy Birthday Jaiden
This year our Jaiden turned 10. TEN.
What happened?!
He woke up to his favorite...the donut cake.
Opened some presents.
And later in the week we took him to celebrate at Great Wolf Lodge! We met some friends there and had a wonderful time!
Our view:
Breakfast
And swim. ALL day...3 days!
And this little guy. The birthday boy spent most of his time on all the water slides with his daddy! Having friends there helped us switch and take turns with little ones and older kiddos. Jaiden has a blast! He loved it. Happy Birthday my sweet young man.
What happened?!
He woke up to his favorite...the donut cake.
Opened some presents.
And later in the week we took him to celebrate at Great Wolf Lodge! We met some friends there and had a wonderful time!
Our view:
Breakfast
And swim. ALL day...3 days!
And this little guy. The birthday boy spent most of his time on all the water slides with his daddy! Having friends there helped us switch and take turns with little ones and older kiddos. Jaiden has a blast! He loved it. Happy Birthday my sweet young man.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Nature Study Inspiration
Part of Charlotte Mason's method (a large part) is nature study. I have to be honest. We live in a flat, treeless, and windy city. Nature study is a hard thing to get motivated about, especially when I long to see beauty all around me. But, my friends that is not my reality (or the reality of many really) and is NO excuse to give up the study of nature.
I'm always up for a challenge, so I challenge myself to find the beauty where we live. After all, God made this land too, so there is beauty to be found.
My other challenge is the weather. Just as above, I'm sure I could use it on every occasion as an excuse not to go outside (especially in the cold), but am challenging myself NOT to.
Plus, this life, this having children, and choosing to raise them, and school them in the comfort of home allows us the opportunities to show them God in everything. And what is more evident of God than His own creation?
Fist of all, I'm finding that having a bag prepared helps when we want to observe more carefully. Pack a backpack with pencils, sketchbooks, magnifying glass, baggies, books, and paints and a paper towel, and some trail mix just in case. You may not need the bag every time, but it's good to have.
Next up...go outside. Some days we go on a walk in our neighborhood and collect pine cones, berries, leaves, and acorns. Some days we look at the trees and talk about what kind they are or or how they change each season.
Other days, we may sit in our front yard and listen to birds, watch squirls, play with sticks, find bugs, or climb trees.
Some days we head out to a park with a creek, or ducks, or the Canyon to hike and climb.
We used to do this about 4 times a week. Now that it's been so cold, I haven't been motivated. I came across some wonderful ideas to help with studying nature, even when it's cold out!
1) Loved this whole post at the Common Room. I loved the idea of catching snowflakes with black gloves on and quickly observing.
2) I also love making a weather calender and writing what the weather is like each day. She mentions taking note of the moon too!
3)This post at The Educational Life is extremely helpful with getting started and fitting it in your routine.
I loved this idea of creating a bird watching station especially for the colder days.
And you could put a bird feeder right on your window.
Collect items and use them! There are so many neat ideas to put in your journal.
From leaf rubbings, to drawings, or even actual photographs with observations writtin in.
You can even make fun and beautiful crafts!
Have fun with it. It shouldn't feel pressured or hurried. Just enjoy God all around you!
I'm always up for a challenge, so I challenge myself to find the beauty where we live. After all, God made this land too, so there is beauty to be found.
My other challenge is the weather. Just as above, I'm sure I could use it on every occasion as an excuse not to go outside (especially in the cold), but am challenging myself NOT to.
Plus, this life, this having children, and choosing to raise them, and school them in the comfort of home allows us the opportunities to show them God in everything. And what is more evident of God than His own creation?
Fist of all, I'm finding that having a bag prepared helps when we want to observe more carefully. Pack a backpack with pencils, sketchbooks, magnifying glass, baggies, books, and paints and a paper towel, and some trail mix just in case. You may not need the bag every time, but it's good to have.
Next up...go outside. Some days we go on a walk in our neighborhood and collect pine cones, berries, leaves, and acorns. Some days we look at the trees and talk about what kind they are or or how they change each season.
Other days, we may sit in our front yard and listen to birds, watch squirls, play with sticks, find bugs, or climb trees.
Some days we head out to a park with a creek, or ducks, or the Canyon to hike and climb.
We used to do this about 4 times a week. Now that it's been so cold, I haven't been motivated. I came across some wonderful ideas to help with studying nature, even when it's cold out!
1) Loved this whole post at the Common Room. I loved the idea of catching snowflakes with black gloves on and quickly observing.
2) I also love making a weather calender and writing what the weather is like each day. She mentions taking note of the moon too!
3)This post at The Educational Life is extremely helpful with getting started and fitting it in your routine.
I loved this idea of creating a bird watching station especially for the colder days.
Source: playfulearning.com via Jeana on Pinterest
And you could put a bird feeder right on your window.
Source: store.imaginechildhood.com via Jeana on Pinterest
Collect items and use them! There are so many neat ideas to put in your journal.
From leaf rubbings, to drawings, or even actual photographs with observations writtin in.
You can even make fun and beautiful crafts!
Source: childinharmony.com via Jeana on Pinterest
Source: kokokokids.ru via Jeana on Pinterest
Have fun with it. It shouldn't feel pressured or hurried. Just enjoy God all around you!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Giving
Yesterday, I posted gift ideas for the little ones in your life. Although those are fun, we always want to include our children in making, picking out, and delivering gifts for others.
It's importnant for them to know that it means so much others when we think of them.
Our city has a huge project every year that gives gifts and coats to kids all around our city that otherwise wouldn't have any. Last Saturday was our homeschool day to meet at the huge warehouse and fill the boxes and wrap them. Brighton was very sick and so we did not make it, but THIS Saturday our church is delivering some of those packages to the kids! We have signed up to help deliver, and are getting really excited!
I've mentioned this before, but World Vision also has a catalog filled with gifts that help children and families all over the world! These gifts include goats, chickens, cows, water, soccer balls, and much more. A wonderful way to give!
Then, we will be thinking of friends, family, and teachers/therapists. We are headed to the store tomorrow to pick up ingredients and supplies for all these fun treats! We are looking forward to spending the weekend together making these treats for our loved ones.
All packed into:
It's importnant for them to know that it means so much others when we think of them.
Our city has a huge project every year that gives gifts and coats to kids all around our city that otherwise wouldn't have any. Last Saturday was our homeschool day to meet at the huge warehouse and fill the boxes and wrap them. Brighton was very sick and so we did not make it, but THIS Saturday our church is delivering some of those packages to the kids! We have signed up to help deliver, and are getting really excited!
I've mentioned this before, but World Vision also has a catalog filled with gifts that help children and families all over the world! These gifts include goats, chickens, cows, water, soccer balls, and much more. A wonderful way to give!
Source: donate.worldvision.org via Cecilia on Pinterest
Then, we will be thinking of friends, family, and teachers/therapists. We are headed to the store tomorrow to pick up ingredients and supplies for all these fun treats! We are looking forward to spending the weekend together making these treats for our loved ones.
Source: cupcakesandcrablegs.com via Jeana on Pinterest
Source: beckyhiggins.com via Wendy on Pinterest
All packed into:
Source: sarahhearts.com via Jeana on Pinterest
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Gift Ideas for Kids
It's the time of year when MANY gifts are given. In our house we have a birthday in October, one in December, Christmas, and a birthday in February. I don't like to buy stuff for the sake of buying stuff. I like gifts that mean something and toys that will encourage these boys of mine to use their imaginations!
Some of our favorite gifts have been:
The racetrack I got for Tibby for his birthday. It is just like this one, but ours glows.
Snap Circuits are always fun:
Below are some of our favorite toys and games:
This year, we are adding cookbooks to go with those knives for kids. The whole line of Curious Chef items look great!
We got a bike for our almost 4 year old.
We also threw in a few audio books for our roadtrips etc.
I am looking into these for Brighton's birthday in February:
I hope these give you some fun ideas for the little people in your lives! Have a beautiful season with your family and friends!
Some of our favorite gifts have been:
The racetrack I got for Tibby for his birthday. It is just like this one, but ours glows.
Snap Circuits are always fun:
Below are some of our favorite toys and games:
This year, we are adding cookbooks to go with those knives for kids. The whole line of Curious Chef items look great!
We got a bike for our almost 4 year old.
We also threw in a few audio books for our roadtrips etc.
I am looking into these for Brighton's birthday in February:
Source: saltwater-kids.com via Jeana on Pinterest
Source: kiwicrate.com via Jody on Pinterest
I hope these give you some fun ideas for the little people in your lives! Have a beautiful season with your family and friends!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
On Being a Mother and a Family
I have been so encouraged lately from a few posts I've read and videos I've watched. We are in the process of learning and listening to God and how He would want us to live our lives. It has brought us through some major (but exciting)changes that I can't wait to share with you over the next few months.
I am right now, so encouraged to stand up and be the mother God created me to be, and I wanted to share what I've been encouraged by with all of you!
Sarah writes a guest post today called The Three Important Lessons About Being a Mom. Number 3 melted my heart into a huge puddle of love.
Sally wrote a beautiful post about giving time to each child.
"I was pondering this event–him sitting still for this long and talking and talking and talking, and suddenly it dawned on me–”He is an extravert and he needs people, activity and wants to talk and be heard.”
I have a boy just like this, I know time being heard would win and keep his heart.
Just last night, before I ever read this article, I revamped our evening routine.
We ate dinner, helped clean up, the boys picked up toys, and one of the two little ones got in the bath. (Jaiden always takes his in the morning)
While one was enjoying his bath, playing with the tub toys all to himself, the other boys went on a night walk looking at lights with their daddy. We all met with brushed teeth and pajamas in their bedroom and read a book and a Proverb. 2 fell asleep and one was so happy. He had time, time spent with dad and all was well.
It's so important. Our role in mothering. We help mold these children. We help create a family. We have this one chance with each child, not that there isn't room for mistakes, but the overall objective is to know them, to love them, and to train them. It takes a LOT of time and a huge amount of dedication. It takes self denial. The end result will prove worth it. The time you spent with them will never have been wasted time.
This video was precious to me! I'd love to watch the whole thing. I hope this encourages you today as it has me. Be blessed!
I am right now, so encouraged to stand up and be the mother God created me to be, and I wanted to share what I've been encouraged by with all of you!
Sarah writes a guest post today called The Three Important Lessons About Being a Mom. Number 3 melted my heart into a huge puddle of love.
Sally wrote a beautiful post about giving time to each child.
"I was pondering this event–him sitting still for this long and talking and talking and talking, and suddenly it dawned on me–”He is an extravert and he needs people, activity and wants to talk and be heard.”
I have a boy just like this, I know time being heard would win and keep his heart.
Just last night, before I ever read this article, I revamped our evening routine.
We ate dinner, helped clean up, the boys picked up toys, and one of the two little ones got in the bath. (Jaiden always takes his in the morning)
While one was enjoying his bath, playing with the tub toys all to himself, the other boys went on a night walk looking at lights with their daddy. We all met with brushed teeth and pajamas in their bedroom and read a book and a Proverb. 2 fell asleep and one was so happy. He had time, time spent with dad and all was well.
It's so important. Our role in mothering. We help mold these children. We help create a family. We have this one chance with each child, not that there isn't room for mistakes, but the overall objective is to know them, to love them, and to train them. It takes a LOT of time and a huge amount of dedication. It takes self denial. The end result will prove worth it. The time you spent with them will never have been wasted time.
This video was precious to me! I'd love to watch the whole thing. I hope this encourages you today as it has me. Be blessed!
It Is Your Life: The Moss Family from Moore Family Films on Vimeo.
Monday, November 28, 2011
How to Choose Life
I've read that our thoughts are the very thing that choose how our life goes. If we think about bad things, lazy things,or have defeated thoughts, then that's what we reap.
If we fix our thoughts on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8) Then our lives will reflect that.
We have a choice on what are thoughts are. We have a choice in choosing life:
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19
It's so easy to move through life without a thought of the blessings in our lives. It's so easy to focus on something we don't have. But that is not chosing life. It favors death.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
So, I choose to begin my week in gratitude. To fix my thoughts on these blessings He has given me. I choose life. And I'm thankful for that choice.
436. A lovely weekend spent with family and thanksgiving
437. planning for our guys' 10th birthday
438. being in a warm house on a cold and windy day
439. having a choice in LIFE
440. finding a habit and thanksgiving and life choosing
441. the elderly couple out on their morning walk
442. a big glass of orange juice
443. boys that believe the power of God
444. a warm cardigan
445. learning how wives and mother's lived in the past
If we fix our thoughts on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8) Then our lives will reflect that.
We have a choice on what are thoughts are. We have a choice in choosing life:
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19
It's so easy to move through life without a thought of the blessings in our lives. It's so easy to focus on something we don't have. But that is not chosing life. It favors death.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
So, I choose to begin my week in gratitude. To fix my thoughts on these blessings He has given me. I choose life. And I'm thankful for that choice.
436. A lovely weekend spent with family and thanksgiving
437. planning for our guys' 10th birthday
438. being in a warm house on a cold and windy day
439. having a choice in LIFE
440. finding a habit and thanksgiving and life choosing
441. the elderly couple out on their morning walk
442. a big glass of orange juice
443. boys that believe the power of God
444. a warm cardigan
445. learning how wives and mother's lived in the past
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Simple Holiday Decor
Yesterday we spent a COLD and WINDY day inside decorating. But not before we went out in that weather to pick out a tree.
Keeping it simple this year we picked a small tree and decorated with stuff we had around.
Had a great helper:
A here it is, sweet and simple.
Wreaths on the doors:
You have to have a train..
A little bit of vintage love.
Then, I took some paint to these terra cotta pots and added ribbon and twine and a dried lime or cin. stick. Idea via pinterest.
Then we were all tuckered out:
We are keeping it very simple around here this year. We want a nice holiday for our boys, but not getting so much into the material and worldly ideas of it all. I hope you all have a beautiful season with you family and of course time spent with God. Enjoy!
FRUGALLY SUSTAINABLE
HOME STORIES FROM A to Z
Keeping it simple this year we picked a small tree and decorated with stuff we had around.
Had a great helper:
A here it is, sweet and simple.
Wreaths on the doors:
You have to have a train..
A little bit of vintage love.
Then, I took some paint to these terra cotta pots and added ribbon and twine and a dried lime or cin. stick. Idea via pinterest.
Then we were all tuckered out:
We are keeping it very simple around here this year. We want a nice holiday for our boys, but not getting so much into the material and worldly ideas of it all. I hope you all have a beautiful season with you family and of course time spent with God. Enjoy!
FRUGALLY SUSTAINABLE
HOME STORIES FROM A to Z
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